Spring wheel



July 8, 1947. c. E. DICKERSON 2,423,690

vSPRING WHEEL INVENToR. (ZE-D cker-.san

ATTO R N EYB Patented July 8, 1947 12,423,690 u SPRNG WHEEL "AC'haiflesv EIlckerson,Philaielplia, IP a- *I 'Application'roctober 8, 1943,r Serial No. 505,542

zrclim (01.155246.)

fli4l present' invention hesreferene tf1-aa 'yeh-ide wheel Construction. and my obiect visftoprovidel a yehiclel wheel which `willjaiord anair cushion gbecifrada@fransen bint new@ ad" afford air cushions when pressure 1 exerted a nst the tread 'shoes esrriedb'y the. pitons ariethereby relieve shock to'whih'the nvehicle would'b'e'ot'herwise subjected, to produce the same result as that of a pneumatic tire folding resiliently over a road surface and likewise producing a wheel that is puncture-proof.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects which will present themselves the invention further resides in certain other novel features of construction, combination and operative association of parts, to be hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a vehicle wheel in accordance with this invention with parts removed.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ring which divides the wheel of the rim into spaced channels or compartments.

The hub I of my improved wheel is a particular and peculiar construction. The hub is wholly constructed of metal and from adjacent its inner end is centrally formed with a tubular extension 2 whose bore is iiared. This extension provides the bearing for the axle spindle 3. The bearing terminates a suitable distance away from the outer end or face of the hub I so that the nut can be properly screwed upon the spindle 3 and likewise a space is afforded between the said bearing and the hub proper. The bearing is reinforced by radial ribs or webs 4 which are integrally formed on the outer face of the said bearing and on the inner wall of the hub I.

The outer end of the hub is closed by a saucershaped cap 5 which is screwed thereon and the said cap is centrally provided With. an air inlet opening 6.

.'In the showing of thedrawings ,the bulge adiacent its ends iszifntesrally, farmed-with spaced: seriesof spokes; 'I- The spokes 0f. Of1f.-0f;.ihg series are arranged intermediate of ;ihQSxQf a1 19iklf series. All .of the Spokes @reef za Vpslrriilar length .and constructionandeaghpfthe sgolieS--isfinrthe nature of a tubular member ;and,th foragin the natureigfyarlinder- ,Tee-hule la Sislfewed therethrough agliegWiihihe Cfritrgof eallef thereduedengqf a-yalygasgs- @influenced Val-V99 1:11 eeghigggegieere is a 'The-spokes.mergeintolthe' rim I Il'- of gthe wheel. In the 'showin'g'oft'he' drawings e rim ,I vIl'hlasits edges .provided `with continuous rdlydirected flanges; friend to the "outer fates of; these Centr `lly"'bolt"d tothe'outerface of the 'rim I 0 there is a ring member I4. This ring member has its outer edge formed with oppositely extending flanges I5, respectively, the said flanges being disposed opposite and in a line with the reheadless nuts I5 which are screwed in the rim.

The nuts I5 receive therethrough the reduced ends I6 of piston rods I, one of each entering the respective spokes 'I. The shoulder provided between the end I6 and the piston rod proper is normally in contact with the nut I5', and the outer end of the part I6 of the piston rod is provided with a ange I8 to which is xed the head portion I9 of a segmental tread member or section 20. The bodies 20 of the tread members are disposed laterally inwardly with respect to the heads I9 thereof so that the shoulders between the bodies and heads contact with the ilanges I3 and I5 of the elements I2 and I4, respectively. The outer face of each of the tread sections 2li is preferably toothed or serrated, as indicated by the numeral 2l and also the tread sections are constructed of vulcanized rubber.

Each piston rod I1 is held from turning through the medium of a, key 22 that enters a groove in the said piston rod I'I. Each piston rod has xed on its inner end a, piston 23. The piston preferably comprises cup-Washers, spacer elements between the cup washers, a disc or the outer cup washer v'and a bolt which passes through the disc and the elements comprising the piston. The cup)washers are in frictional contact with the bore cf the cylindrical spokes 1 and arranged in each of the spokes 'l and contacting with the fmetal outer washer 24 on the piston 23 and with the hub I there is a comparatively strong helical press the air in the cylindrical spokes and such air acts as a cushion which will prevent the wheel being subjected to undue shocks.

The device not'only provides an air cushion between the road surface and the axle of a machine but as previously stated produces the same result as that of a pneumatic tire and the device is puncture-proof.

Obviously in lieu of arranging the air inlet valves 9 between the hub and the hollow spokes, such valves or similar inwardly'opening valves may be connected directly to the spokes for the passage of atmospheric air when the pistons are depressed or moved outwardly under the iniiu` ence of the springs 25. Y

Having described the invention, I claim:

A wheel of the class described having a hub, said hub having spaced series of hollow spokes extending therefrom, a rim surrounding the hub and to which the spokes are connected, removable ring plates on the sides of the rim having their outer edges formed with inwardly directed flanges, a central ring member fixed on the rim and having its outer edge provided with laterally -extending flanges, a piston rod in each spoke Vand having a reduced end extending therethrough, a ange on said reduced end, a nut screwed inthe rim and arranged around the reduced end of each piston rod, a segmental tread member on the said ange of each piston rod having a anged head to be engaged by the flanges of the ring plates, a piston on the inner end of each rod, a spring in each spoke exerting a pressure against the piston for urging the piston rods outwardly through the spokes, an inwardly opening spring influenced air valve between the inner wall of the hub and each piston Vand coengaging means between the piston rods and the hollow spokes for holding the piston rods from turning.

Y CHARLES E. DICKERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

' UNITED'STATES` PATENTS Kimball Apr. 3, 1916 

